Brush scrambled for his shirt, fumbling over the bed, when the air in the room shimmered unnaturally.
Hikaru stood in the center, damp hair clinging to her shoulders, eyes calm but piercing. Without a word, her katana lifted into the air, glowing with faint, shimmering runes.
Brush froze, hands halfway to his face. "Uh… what… what are you doing?"
The katana spun slowly above her hand, floating as if guided by invisible threads of fate. The runes etched into the blade pulsed with soft light, tracing symbols that seemed older than the internet itself.
Hikaru's voice was serene. "Even at rest, I cannot let my focus waver. A samurai's mind is always on guard—even in mundane moments."
Mia Rika—Daji—whisked her tails nervously. "S-sir… maybe… stand back? That thing doesn't look… ordinary."
Brush gulped, holding his shirt defensively. "Ordinary? You just—your katana—literally started floating and glowing!"
Hikaru's smirk was faint, almost imperceptible. "The runes are a reflection of my intent. Even casual movement carries weight. Even in a hotel room, I can protect—or punish."
The katana swirled faster, runes spinning in arcs of light, before hovering perfectly in front of Hikaru, pointing at Brush.
Crunchyroller floated above, beeping nervously. "I… don't think this is a training exercise, but… she looks calm about it. So maybe it's fine."
Brush muttered, clutching his shirt, "Fine… totally fine… just a floating, glowing, deadly sword. No big deal."
Hikaru tilted her head, letting her katana hover serenely. "You really need to get used to this," she said softly. "Chaos follows us… even in quiet places."
And as Brush stood there, awkward and flustered in his shorts, the room felt impossibly small under the presence of a legendary samurai and her rune-blessed katana.